Search This Blog

Archie Comics has had great success with their horror imprint, reimagining their iconic characters as survivors of a zombie apocalypse or exploring the dark roots of Sabrina the Teenage Witch's coven. They did away with the camp for serious thrills and chills. 'Jughead: The Hunger' one-shot follows the same sober and bloody path as Frank Tieri and Michael Walsh expose one of Riverdale's darkest secrets. There's a serial killer on the loose in Riverdale and has already claimed the lives of some familiar faces. The opening scene demonstrates just how vicious this killer really is. Elsewhere, Jughead, Archie, Betty, Veronica, Reggie and the rest are watching a horrific scene of another kind. Jughead has almost put an all-you-can-eat restaurant out of business by stuffing his face over and over again. It vividly describes "the hunger" withing the title of the book but what else does Jughead hunger for?As the layers are peeled back some great backstories emerge about not just Jughead but others in the gang. You'll never see Jughead the same again. It's a lot of information to put in a one-shot but Tieri does a smooth job of being concise without lessening the tension once the killer is revealed. In fact, you'll want to see more by the end of the story as it remains open-ended. Walsh's selective color palette and moody panels set the perfect unnerving atmosphere. Designs of the Archie kids are fresh and far from the classic comics obviously but Betty Cooper stands out as a version of another famous television heroine whose name also starts with a "B." The sequence of the monster's transformation was especially impressive. Walsh gives this monster movie the tone and sheen it needed. What Tieri and Walsh have done with 'Jughead: The Hunger" is auditioned for an ongoing or limited series whether they know it or not. I want more. I want more Jughead horror stories as he travels the country like Bruce Banner did on TV's "The Incredible Hulk."As a one-shot, this is a solid story with some surprising devilish twists. It's a nice appetizer to hold us until "Afterlife with Archie" returns.

Popular posts from this blog

Bryan Hill pumps the brakes a little in the follow up to the fast-paced debut of 'Bonehead' with more great world building. The mystery surrounding Bonehead 56 deepens but we at least get some backstory and details about what his arrival means for a pair of brothers with opposing viewpoints.

BONEHEAD #2
Writer: Bryan Edward Hill
Artist: Rhoald Marcellius, Sakti Yuwono
Letterer: Jaka Ady
Graphics: Comolo
Editor: Elena Salcedo
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: January 31, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99
Score:★★★★☆ (4/5)
After a thrilling video game-like first issue, issue two gives way to the brothers Kray. Aleph is a tech scientist examining the unconscious "56" and marveling at his abilities. He reminds him when his brother Hideki roamed the city as the vigilante Blackdeath. Hideki is a Gladiator (cop) now and he questions Aleph's methods with 56 and its legalities. Nonetheless, they need 56 to be free on the streets for now so they can monitor him. The brothers c…

Valiant announces ARMSTRONG AND THE VAULT OF SPIRITS #1 – a hard-charging, standalone special coming this winter from New York Times best-selling writer Fred Van Lente (ARCHER & ARMSTRONG, Incredible Hercules) and red-hot rising star CAFU (RAPTURE)! On February 7th, join in a riotous celebration for the ages as Armstrong, for the very first time, uncorks the ancient mysteries of his centuries past – and dares his closest comrades into the adventure of several lifetimes!

Deep beneath New York City’s seediest dive bar, Armstrong – the hard-hitting, harder-partying immortal veteran of history’s greatest escapades – is hosting an invitation-only affair for his most beloved friends and allies! Archer… Ivar, Timewalker… Faith… Quantum and Woody… And special guests from across the Valiant Universe… All have been offered a seat at the table for a personally guided tour of Armstrong’s most valuable and tightly guarded treasure… From the Great Flood to ancient Greece to the height of the C…

Hit-Girl is most certainly back and as deadly and crazy as ever. She's gone international looking to fight injustice and find a worthy sidekick. Mark Millar is in top form with help from artists Ricardo Lopez Ortiz and Sunny Gho. The heart of the Kick-Ass legacy lives on as bloody and as thrilling as you remember.

HIT-GIRL #1
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Ricardo Lopez Ortiz, Sunny Gho
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: February 21, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99
Score: ★★★★★ (5/5)
The retirement of Dave Lizewki as the original Kick-Ass has left a void in Mindy's crime-fighting life. Trying to recruit his replacement has been challenging to say the least. She's going to go it alone and taking her skills global as a cry for help leads her to Colombia.

Millar hits the floor running with a wild prison break, Mindy parting ways with an unworthy partner, and a grieving mother looking for justice. The sudden blitz back to the world of Kick-Ass is like comfort food for comic book fans. …

NEW ONGOING SERIES! When Veronica is bitten by a centuries-old vampire, her thirst for blood threatens to turn Riverdale into a haven for the undead. Will she put an end to the vampire threat or give in to her bloodlust?

“Ambush”—The Mighty Crusaders are on the attack against the vicious Eliminators! It’s an all-out brawl with the odds in the Crusaders’ favor, until they’re faced with a new, dark entity: The Dream Demon!